Saving Trees Damaged by Storms

Damage to trees following high winds and heavy rains can range from a few downed limbs to complete up-rooting and everything in between. On the two ends of the extreme, the choices are fairly obvious, but often the decision of whether to try to keep a tree can be difficult.

Trees (or limbs) usually fail for a reason In rare cases such as tornadoes, healthy trees will be destroyed along with everything else; but most trees or limbs that come down during typical thunderstorms usually have a defect that caused them to fail. Common defects include decay, poor branch architecture, pervious mechanical damage or poor root structure. If a tree loses a limb during a storm because of decay, it’s possible other limbs on the tree may have similar problems. Therefore, it’s important to try to determine where and why the problem occurred on the tree and if the problem is likely to be repeated.

Does the damage make the tree more likely to fail in the future? If a tree loses a major limb on one side, the tree may become unbalanced and may become prone to fail in the next storm.

What is the tree likely to hit if it fails or loses major limbs? Grade- A tree care that deals with hazard tree assessment think in terms of worst case scenario. A damaged tree is much more of a concern if it is near a structure, sidewalk or children’s play area than if it’s alone in the field.

What is the condition of the tree before the storm and what are its long-term prospects? These are questions that usually require the input of a professional Tree Care company like us!
When in doubt, call Grade- A Tree Care. Working around storm-damaged trees is deadly serious business. Taking down trees under the best of circumstances can be tricky enough. Trees that are damaged in storms frequently have decay or defects that are not obvious, which can cause them to do the unexpected when working around them. If you are unsure of the condition of a tree or if a tree is near utilities, structures, cars or people, contact us to ensure a safe removal.